Learn Malay with Adlan

Macam  can be used in the following ways: Adverb:  like At it's foundation, macam means like, which can be used the same way as seperti . Additionally, macam also implies manner as in the way to do something. In English, most of the time using 'this' or 'that' would suffice to direct someone to do something in a certain way. Bagai which is a more formal version can be used interchangeably.  Macam itu =   Begitu Macam ini  =  Begini Examples : 1. Buat macam ini.  Do it like this. 2. Jangan cakap macam itu.  Don't say (like) that! 3. Macam mana nak mohon status penduduk tetap?  How to apply for permanent resident? 4. Beginilah caranya kita mengatasi kelemahan diri tanpa mendatangkan keburukan. This is the way we overcome our weaknesses without causing harm. Semacam Adjective/Adverb:  weird(ly), suspicious(ly) Semacam is a rather unique way to express the speaker's suspicion over something often implying that something is wrong or out of th...

Sementara  can be used in the following ways: Adjective:  temporary Sementara expresses the idea of temporariness implying that things will change eventually. Examples : 1. Dia hanyalah pembantu sementara.  He is only a temporary asistant. 2. Hidup ini hanyalah sementara.  This life is merely temporary. 3. Kita akan (meN)pindahkan operasi ke sini buat sementara waktu.  We will move the operation here for a temporary time. 4. Penutupan sementara jalan itu menyebabkan kesesakan jalan raya. The temporary closure of that road has caused road traffic. Conjunction:  while When used as a conjunction, sementara introduces a temporary time period in which the main action is taken. The clause with sementara can be an action performed by another subject or a temporary state in which the primary subject is experiencing.  Examples : 1. Alia mengemas rumah sementara Hana memasak.  Alia cleans the house while Hana is cooking. 2. Ayah membaca surat khabar sementa...

Kurang  can be used in the following ways: Adjective/Adverb: less, lack, in shortage of Kurang  expresses the idea of less than normal. As an adverb, kurang is used to describe the lack or shortage of something. Examples : 1. Dia tak terbayar kerana duitnya kurang.   He wasn't able to pay because he has not enough money (his money is in shortage). 2. Tahun ini gejala sosial semakin kurang.  This year, sosial problems become lesser. 3. Dia asyik kena denda sebab kurang ajar dengan cikgu.    He always got punished because of being rude (lack education) to the teachers.  4. Kebanyakan negara menghadapi masalah kurang tenaga buruh akibat kadar kelahiran yang menurun.  A big number of countries are facing shortage of labour force problem due to the decreasing of birth rate. Intensifier:  less, lack, not so Kurang  can also be used before adjectives/stative verbs. It is used to express that the topic in question does not adhere to an expe...

Wajar   can be used in the following ways: Adjective:  appropriate  Wajar is used to describe that something is appropriate. Wajar carrries a formal and neutral tone which suggest that an event/action/decision is justified. Examples :  1. Tuntutan itu tidak wajar.     That claim is not appropriate.  2. Tindakan dia bercakap dengan kasar tidak wajar.   His action of speaking rudely is not appropriate.  3. Dalam negara yang berdemokrasi, melakukan undian sebelum membuat keputusan adalah wajar.   In a democratic country, voting before making decisions is appropriate.   4. Penggunaan AI dalam industri harus melalui pemeriksaan yang wajar bagi memastikan keselamatannya.   The application of AI in industries should undergo a proper examination to ensure it's safety. (Obligation Modal Auxiliary) Verb:  ougt to {it's appropriate to} Wajar  can also be used before the primary verb to express that the action is approp...

Payah   can be used in the following ways: Adjective:  dfficult, effortful, bothersome Payah can be used to describe that a certain action is rather difficult to be done due to it requiring a lot of effort. It is used when the speaker is annoyed or frustrated. Examples : 1. Belajar bahasa Melayu tak payah. It's not tough to learn Malay.    2. Payah sangatkah nak dengar cakap?  Is it so hard to listen to my words? 3. Kena pecat tiba-tiba mesti payah, kan. It must be hard to be fired suddenly, right? 4. Hidup ini tak sepayah yang kita sangka. This life isn't as tough as we thought. Tak payah  (Imperative/Auxiliary) Verb: no need, don't have to Tak payah can come before a verb to express that there is no need to do the action. Use with a soft tone, it is comparable with tak perlu , in which the speaker's intention is merely to state that something is not needed as opposed to what the listener expects. When used in a harsh tone, it is rather sarcastic, as if te...

Baru  can be used in the following ways: Adjective:  new Baru  is the shorter form of baharu , which is used to describe that something is new, fresh or recent. Examples :  1. Saya dapat kerja baru.     I got a new job.  2. Kami sudah pergi kedai baru itu.   We've already been to that new shop.  3. Pelajar baru, sila berkumpul di depan dewan.   Fresh students, please gather in front of the hall!  4. Dia berpindah ke luar negara untuk mendapatkan pengalaman baru.   She moved overseas to get new experience. (Aspect Auxiliary) Verb:  just  Baru  can precede the primary verb to express that the verb has just taken place. To further emphasise, saja  can come together with baru . Examples :  1. Dia baru saja sampai.    He just arrived.  2. Saya baru saja cakap tadi.   I just said it just now.  3. Baru hari pertama datang sini, tapi dah tunjuk pandai.   It's just his first da...

Cukup   can be used in the following ways: Adjective:  enough, sufficient Cukup is used to express that the subject is sufficient to fulfil certain needs. Untuk  would often follow cukup  to describe the needs. Examples : 1. Gaji saya tak cukup.     My salary is not enough.     2. Duit ini cukup untuk beli hadiah.   This money is enough to buy a gift. 3. Tempat duduk tak cukup untuk semua pelajar.    The seats are not enough for all students. 4. Saya ada cukup masa untuk selesaikan urusan itu.  I have enough time to settle that matter.   Intensifier:  enough, sufficiently, appropriately Cukup  can also be used before adjectives/stative verbs. It is used to express that the intensity of the adjective is just enough thus satisfactory. Examples : 1. Rumah ini cukup besar.     This house is big enough.     2. Lukisan itu sudah cukup cantik.   That painting is already beautiful ...

Betul   can be used in the following ways: Adjective:  correct, true Betul as an adjective is used to confirm a fact or a statement as the truth. Examples : 1. Maklumat itu semuanya betul.     All of the information is true.     2. Beritahu saya jawapan yang betul.   Tell me the correct answer! 3. Encik bukan orang tempatan, betul tak?     You're not a local, is that right? 4. Betul, saya bukan orang tempatan.   That's correct, I'm not a local.   Intensifier:  indeed, truly, really When placed after an adjective, betul  is used to intensify the adjective as if the subject truly fulfils the quality of the adjective. It can also be used to agree with the other party's claim. In a sentence, the predicate with betul  can be brought to front to further emphasize it. Used this way, the sentence becomes more like an exclamation. Examples : 1. Beg tangan ini mahal betul.    This handbag is truly expensive....